New AOP resources to promote children's eye health

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has launched a range of new resources for its members to help raise awareness of the importance of children’s eye health. A new poster – highlighting the fact that children may be unaware that they have a vision problem – was also distributed in the June edition of the AOP’s award-winning journal Optometry Today (OT).

With an estimated one million children with an undiagnosed vision problem in the UK, the new resources include videos, presentations, lesson plans and work sheets that help promote eye health to both children and parents.

AOP Professional Adviser, Geoff Roberson, said: “Parents may be shocked to know how many children have undiagnosed vision problems. Our new resources help members raise awareness of this important issue both in their practice and the local community. We’ve also produced a handy guide for practitioners with top tips for examining children’s eyes, from helping younger patients feel at ease in the consulting room to making the most of technology.”

Two new videos and a patient leaflet have also been produced by the Association. Aimed at the profession, the Children’s vision – how to succeed and where we could improve video includes an interview with Professor Bruce Evans, Director of Research at the Institute of Optometry. Aimed at the public, the second video, Sight now for success later features Geoff Roberson commenting on top tips for parents.

Continuing the focus on children’s vision, this month’s edition of OT features four CET-accredited articles linked to children’s eye health, including Spectacle prescribing for young children by Dr Margaret Woodhouse and The evidence base for myopia control by Kate Gifford.

John White, OT Managing Editor, said: “The June edition of OT is dedicated to children. From the brightest sparks at UK universities leading the way in children’s eye health to the often-forgotten problem of hyperopia, this month’s edition focuses on why the profession cannot afford to ignore children’s eye health.”

For more information, please contact Anne Grenyer, PR and Media Manager at the Association of Optometrists, at annegrenyer@aop.org.uk or telephone 020 7549 2063.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading professional membership organisation for optometrists and other optical professionals in the UK. We support our community of more than 16,500 members to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. As a founding member of the Optical Confederation we work with others to improve eye health for the public good.

Optometry Today

Optometry Today (OT) has an audience of 15,000 members and subscribers. OT was named as the ‘Best Professional Association or Royal College magazine’ at the MemCom 2016 Awards. Organised by MemCom – the networking organisation for membership marketing professionals – the awards recognise and celebrate excellence within the membership sector. The OT website offers subscribers exclusive access to over 65 CET exams per year, including bi-monthly CET video content.